Next time you're shopping, reconsider before filling up your trolley with the following items:

Packet cereal - The cost of packet cereals can really add up and they're not necessarily good for you. A packet of rolled oats is your best bet, because with it you can make your own muesli or porridge. The family will soon adjust, especially if you work at making it really special by adding some grated apple or other fresh fruit.

Jars or cans of marinades and curry pastes - These can be great time-savers and have their place, but unless you know you will use them regularly (like your favourite Thai red curry paste, for instance), leave them on the supermarket shelf. And ready-made stir-in sauces, which are often laden with unwanted sugar, salt and preservatives, are best avoided.

Jam - Check your fridge or pantry first: how many half-eaten jars of jam can you see? Make it a rule that you don't buy a new one until the last one has been finished, and the same goes for chutneys and mustards. It's easy to make your own quick raspberry jam: combine 500g frozen raspberries with ¼ cup lemon juice in a large microwave-proof bowl, then microwave on the highest setting for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups caster sugar and cook on high for another 20 minutes, lightly stirring every 5 minutes. Spoon into a sterilised jar, seal, label and cool, ready to store.

Deli goods - All those sliced meats, marinated artichokes and eggplants look good but can be really expensive. When it comes to sliced meat, buy only what you know you can use within a day or so - it won't last longer than that. The same goes for marinated vegetables, which can start to go mouldy after three days.

Information kindly provided by Suzanne Gibbs and Kate Gibbs from The Thrifty Kitchen.